Hospital bed



A. L. BRESCH May 8, 1945.

HO'SPI TAL BED Filled Feb. 28, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENToR. ALBERT L.. BRI-:SCH

I HTTORA/EY MyA 8, 1945 i A. l.. BRESCH 2,375,192

HOSPITAL BED Filed Feb. 28, 1942 s sheets-sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

ALBERT BREscH Fls. @ai

Hv- TCPA/EY May 8, 1945 A. L. BREscl-l- 2,375,192

HOSPITAL BED Filed Feb. 28, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 respectively, Figure 2,;

Patented May s, 1945 UNITED STATES l, PATENT OFFICE HOSPITAL BED v Albert L.v Bresch, UniversityOity, Mo. Application February`28, 1942, Serial No. 432,729v (C1. 5 83') 7 Claims.

This :invent-ion relates to a certain new and useful improvement in hospital beds and has for its chief object the provision of an attachment whereby a hospital bed may be ,economically equipped with readily actuable means vfor easily and conveniently either raising or longitudinally shifting, or Vboth raising and longitudinally shifting, the patient, invalid, or other occupant-with respect to the bed proper as may fbe required or desirable either for his or her comfort, for facilitating movement or handling of the occupant during illness, `or for other reasons or causes whatsoever.

And with the ,above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the vnovel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination -of parts presently describedand pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying, drawings ,(LtWo sheets) Figure` 1 is a plan View of a hospital bed equipped with invalid oroccupant lifting yand lengthwise shifting mechanism.embodyingI my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the equipped b ed, illustrating the invalid or occupant moving or shifting mechanism of `my attachments in lowered or so-called normal position in full ,lines and in vraised or elevated or socalled abnormal position in dot-dash lines;

Figures '3, and 4 are ,fragmental Vlongitudinal or .horizontal sectional views .of the equipped bed taken approximately on the lines 3 3 and 4 4, respectively, Figure 1;

The .attachment comprises a supplemental frame B, rwhich is of rectangular form and reduced dimensions relatively to the `bedstead A .and its frame a, and which includes longitud-inally` extending angle-members 6, Ajoined to which are transverse or lateral angle-members' l, the frame -B being practice disposed under, and Vby means of spacing members 8 andthreaded studs -9 or the like engaging the mainframemembers 4 and supplemental frame-members 6 preferably detachably secured to, the main frame a, "with the .opposite side members in registration with the opposite side members all :as best seen in Figures l, 5, and 6.

Integral Vwith or otherwise fixed to, and depending from, each of the supplemental frame- Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view Aof the bed `taken :approximately on the line 5 5, Figure 2;

Figures 6, 7, and 8 are transverse :or vertical sectionalA views of the equipped ,bed taken approximately on the'lines 6 6, `l-l, .and 8 8,

Figure V9 is a perspective view of the device iii-upright position beneath a hospital bed, the latter being shown in dotted lines; Aand vFigure 10 is a `fragmental view of the device in collapsed position.

Referring now in more detail and byreference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, A l designates a bedstead proper, `which may be of any standard or approved form or type, which is preferably, as shown, of rectangular oblong configuration, and which includes head-uprights or posts il, and foot-uprights `orposts 2, 2, rigidlyL joined in spaced parallel relation by a main frame .a comprising head and foot lcross-.rails members y6, .are shaft hangers lil, vas best seen in Figure 7. Rotatablymounted in, .and extending horizontally through, the shaft hangers ll), are tubular shafts or so-called quills H, each provided internally with a co-axial, rotatable solid hshaft |.2 projecting outwardly on both ends from the quill H. Fixed upon the projecting ends of the shaft l2 are suitable pinions l`3, for purposes present-ly appearing and as best seen in Figure 5.

C, C, designate what I will term post-frames, which are arranged in opposed relation upon oppite sides of the main frame a, and each .having a cross-member c integrally provided with two spaced pairs of v upstanding ears i4 disposed upon opposite sides .of 'respective hangars I0 and swingably mounted upon a yquill I'I. In between each'pair of iears M, the `upper edge of the crossmember c is provided with a at machined abutment face l5 4for engagement against `a ycorresponding abutment shoulder l5 formed on the under side of each hangar lll, as best seen in Figure '7, forrlimiting lthe swingable movement of the -l-atter'to upright position or, as more head and Ifoot posts l and-,2, .as best seen in Figure Of course, vthe frame C` can be freely swung. inwardly under the frames a, and B to normalposition, when the 4post-members d extions.

tend in parallel relation to such frames a and B, as indicated in dot-dash lines in Figure '1.

Fixed on each shaft I2 intermediate the respective quills Il, is a tubular member I8, fixed upon which is a miter gear I9, and having meshing engagement With the gears I9 are miter gears 20 fixed on the respective opposite ends of a jack-shaft 2! extending transversely of the frames a and B and journaled for rotation on suitable hangers or brackets 22, 22', depending from the respective frame-members 6, as best Y seen in Figure 5.

Telescopically fitting for adjustment or extension in the tubular post-members d, are preferably tubular companion post-members or ex'- tensions e, provided' longitudinally in the Wall of' which and presented toward the longitudinal frame-members 4 and 6, are racks 23, with which the pinions I3 have meshing engagement.A The post-extensions e of each post-frame C have reg'- istering or aligning through-openings, as at 24, at or adjacent their respective upper ends for shiftably accommodating for longitudinal movement a suitably elongated bar or shaft D provided suitably intermediate its ends and upon its inner face, for purposes presently appearing, with a rack 25 of selected length, and loosely sleeved on, and supported transversely of and over the main frame a by, the bars or shafts D of the companion post-frames C, are somewhat slack flexible invalid or occupant supporting 'straps or the like E. 'y

, The hanger 22 is equipped with a pair of laterally presented parallel ears 28 lproviding a journal or bearing for the inner end of a shaft 21, and fixed on the jack-shaft 2| intermediate the ears 26, is a gear 28, with which meshes a Worm 29 xed on the shaft 21 also intermediate the bracket ears 26, as best seen in Figure 5, the shaft 21 being also suitably supported for rotation, as at 30, on the frame Band bya bearing-bracket 3l fixed on the bedstead A. Y

Also journaled, as at 32, on the bedstead A, is a crank 33 provided with a suitable gear 34 meshing withl a second gear 35 fixed on the adjacent end of the shaft 21.

Hence, assuming that the post-frames C are in abnormal position with their post-members cl at right angles to the frames a and B, it will be evident that, on actuation of the crank 33, rotary movement will be transmitted through the meshing gears 34, 35, to the shaft 21, then-by means of the meshing Worm 29 and gear 28 to the jackshaft 2|, and then by means of the meshing sets of miter gears i9 and 20 to the respective shafts I2 and their carried pinions I3, such movement of the latter being translated through and by their engagement with the racks 23 for effecting reciprocatory travel of the post-extensions e relatively to the main frame a for correspondingly through or by means of their carried straps E raising or lowering the person or invalid relatively to the bedstead A for any desired ministra- Suitably conjoined or xed to and extending in parallel relation with a tubular post-member d of each post-frame C, is a suitably elongated sleeve 36, and also fixed to Said member d adjacent its upper end and extending angularly therefrom over the open upper end of therespective sleeve 36, is an arm 31,` rotatably mounted in the respective free ends of which is a quill 38, and fixed, in turn, upon the upper end of the quill 3B, is a suitably axially apertured gear 39.

Also extending obliquely from the upper end f the post-extension e companion to said one postmember d in approximate alignment with the arm 31, is a second arm 40, and journaled at its upper end in the arm 40 and depending therefrom for slidable movement through the gear 39 and its supporting quill 38 and in the sleeve 36, is a shaft 4I, fixed upon which is a suitable gear 42 having meshing engagement with the rack 25 of the respective post-frame C. As shown, each shaft 4I has a suitable head, as at 4I', upon its upper end for shaft-supporting engagement with the respective arm 40, and, as best seen in Figure 2, the shaft 4I has a key or feather connection with the quill 38 and gear 39 for effecting rotatory movement of the shaft 4I on rotatory movement of the gear or pinion 39.

Depending from the frame B, is an aligning series of hangers 43, supporting for rotation a transversely extending shaft 44 provided at its opposite ends with suitable gears 45 whichmesh with the gears 39 supported on the quills 38.

Fixed onthe shaft 44 intermediate its ends, is a bevel gear 46, which has meshing engagement with a companion gear 41 fixed on the adjacent end of a second crank-shaft 48 mounted for rotation in suitable bearings 49 supported respectively on the frames B and a, as best seen in Figure 5.

Hence, it Will be evident that, on rotary actuation of the crank-shaft 48 in one or the other direction, the shaft 44 will be correspondingly rotarily actuated through and by means of the meshing gears 46, 41, and such rotary motion transmitted to and by the meshing gears 45,39,

' to the rod or shaft 4I and from said shaft or rod 4I, in turn, to the pinion 42, and such movement of the latter through the rack 25 effecting reciprocatory longitudinal movement 'of the shafts D and their supported straps E with respect to the bedstead A for correspondingly shifting the patient or occupant longitudinally for facilitating any desired ministration.

It will be noted that the shaft 44 is preferably somewhat obliquely disposed with respect to the frame B for gear-meshing engagement with the respective post-members C, necessitated by a slightly staggered relation between the members C, as best seen inv Figure 1, for enabling compact nesting of said members when in normal position under the frames a and B. Preferably each post-frame C has a hinged rule-joint strapconnection, as at 50, with the frame B, whereby the post-frames C, when the extensions e are in contracted position Within the tubular posts d,

may be readily shifted to position under the frame B and their swingable movement to upright position limited, the weight of the lbed-occupant exerting, through the straps E, sufficient pull upon the frames C for maintaining the same in extended or abnormal position when in use, the co-operable gearing remaining or continuing in meshing engagement during and throughout disposition of the post-frames C either in, or while being swung to, normal or abnormal position. It is obvious that the attachment may be easily and quickly installed upon the particular bed and is exceedingly efficient in the performance of its intended functions.

It; should be understood Vthat changes and modifications in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the structure may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described Without departing from the nature and'princpleV ofmy invention;

Having thus v'described my invention, what-'I' germes claim and desire tosecure. by Letters Patent is:

1; The combination. with a hospitai'b'ed having side rails and endi rails of a collapsiblepatient elevatormechanism comprising a supplemental frame disposed' transversely of said bed and securedlto the side rails thereof, hangers depending from said supplementalrframe and extending outwardly of' each of said 'side rails, a pair-ofv post frames'-` hingedly connected respectively to the hangers adjacent each side railfor movement optionally into collapsed position' underneath said supplemental frame r into upstanding position on opposite sides of said hospital bed outwardly of said siderails, stop-means limiting the. movementuofsaid post frames toupright position, each post frame including a pair of spaced` parallel tubular posts', companion members telescopically fitting withinv the posts, each of said membersv having a longitudinally extend'- ing rack, bars supported by the respective pairs of members for disposition longitudinally upon oppnsiteA sides ofthe bedstead, straps supported by tha bars for slackwise disposi-tion transversely.

over the bedstead, and means comprising shafts mounted for rotation in the hangers and gears fixed on said shafts and engaging said racks for; when the post frames and their posts are in upstanding position upon opposite sides of the bedstead, shifting said members for raising or lowering said straps relatively to the bedstead,

2. The combination with a hospital bed having side rails and end rails of a collapsible patient elevator comprising a supplemental frame disposed transversely of said bed and secured to the side rails thereof, said supplemental frame having portions extending outwardly of each side rail, longitudinally extending quills rotatably mounted in suitable openings of the extending portions, a pair of post frames hingedly mounted on said quills adjacent each side rail for movement optionally into collapsed position underneath said supplemental frame or into upstanding position on opposite sides of said hospital bed outwardly of said side rails, stop means limiting the movement of said post frames to upright position, each post frame including a pair of spaced parallel tubular posts, companion members telescopically fitting within the posts and provided with longitudinally extending racks, bars supported by the respective pairs of members for disposition longitudinally upon opposite sides of the bedstead, straps supported by the bars for slackwise disposition transversely over the bedstead, and means comprising shafts mounted for rotation in the quills and gears xed on said shafts and engaging said racks when the post frames and their posts are in upstanding position upon opposite sides of the bedstead, for shifting said members for raising or lowering said straps relatively to the bedstead.

3. The combination with a hospital bed having side rails and end rails of a collapsible patient elevator mechanism comprising a supplemental frame disposed transversely of said bed and secured to the side rails thereof, said supplemental frame having portions extending outwardly of each side rail, a pair of post frames hingedly connected respectively to the extending portions adjacent each side rail for movement optionally into collapsed position underneath said supplemental frame or into upstanding position on opposite sides of said hospital bed outwardly of said side rails, means optionally holding said post frames in upright position, each post frame including a pair of spaced parallel tubular posts; bars supported Vby the respective -pairsfof posts for shiftable` disposition-lengedinallyupon opposite sidesof thefbedsteadf, straps supported' by' the barsi for" disposition transversely voverthe bedstead,` and means for' shiftingsaid bars and their supported strapslongitudinally with respecttothebedstead.

4'. `The combi-nationwitha hospital bedh-aving side rails and end railswoi a collapsible patient elevator mechanism comprising a supplemental frame. disposed transversely of. said' bed -a'nd secured: to: the side: rails thereohangers depending" from sai'd supplemental' frame andi extend;- ing outwardly of each of said side rails, ia' pair of post framesy hingedly connected respectively tc'- the hangers adj acentv leach side rail for movement optionally into'y collapsed lpositionV underneath said supplemental frame orintolupstanding posi'- tionl on opposite sides of said hospital bed' outwardly ofi said side rails; stop means limiting the movement` of said postframes to upright' posi'- tion, each post frame including a pairof spaced parallel' tubular posts, bars supported-by tl'ie'ree spective pairs of po'stsf'or shiftable disposition longitudinally upon oppositefsi'des of the bedstead, straps supported by the bars for disposition transversely over the bedstead, longitudinal vracks onsaid' bars, shaftsv rotatably'carried lby 5. The combination with a hospital bed having side rails and end rails of a collapsible patient elevator mechanism comprising a supplemental frame disposed transversely of said bed and secured to the side rails thereof, hangers depending from said supplemental frame and extending outwardly of each of said side rails, a pair of post frames hingedly connected respectively to the hangers adjacent each side rail for movement optionally into collapsed position underneath said supplemental frame or into upstandirig position on opposite sides of said hospital bed outwardly of said side rails, stop means limiting the movement of said post frames to upright position, each post frame including a pair of spaced parallel tubular posts, companion members telescopically fitting within the posts, bars supported by the respective pairs of members for shiitable disposition longitudinally upon opposite sides of the bedstead, straps supported by the bars for disposition transversely over the bedstead, means for shifting said members for` tively to the hangers adjacent each side rail for movement optionally into collapsed position underneath said supplemental frame or into upstanding position on opposite sides of said hospital bed outwardly of said side rails, stop means limiting the movement ofA said post frames to upright position, each post frame including a pair of spaced parallel tubular posts, companion tending rack, bars supportediby the respective pairs of membersfor shiftable; disposition longitudinally upondopposite sides of the bedstead,

each bar having a longitudinally extending rack, straps supported by the bars` transversely over the bedstead, means comprising shafts mounted for rotation in said hangers and gears xed on said shafts and engaging the racks of said members for shifting thesame for raising or lowering said bars and straps relatively to the bedstead, and meansfor shifting said bars and straps longitudinally of the b edstead, said last means including sleeves conjoined to the posts, shafts shiftable with respect to the sleeves, co-oper'able gears for rotatably actuating said shafts, and gears on theshafts meshing with said bar-racks.

,7, The combination with a hospital bed having side rails andend rails of a collapsible patient elevator comprising a supplementalframe disposed transversely of said bed and secured to the side rails thereof, said supplemental frame having portions vextending outwardly of each side rail, longitudinally extending quills rotatably j mounted in suitable openings of `the extending j vertically shiftable with respect to the s1eeves,

neath said supplemental frame or into upstanding position on opposite sides of said hospital bed outwardly of said side rails, stop means limiting the movement of said post frames to upright position, each post frame including a pair of spaced parallel tubular posts, companion members telescopically tting within the posts, each said member having a longitudinally extending rack, bars supported by the respective pairs of members for -shiftable disposition longitudinally upon opposite sides of the bedstead, straps slack-y wise supported by the bars transversely over the bedstead, means comprising shafts mounted for rotationin the quills and Igears xed on said shafts and engaging said racks when the second frames and their posts are in upstanding position upon opposite sides of the bedstead,.for shifting said members for raising or lowering said bars and their supported straps relatively to the bedstead, and means for shifting said bars and straps longitudinally of thebedstead also when the posts are in upstanding position, said last means including sleeves conjoined to the posts, shafts gear means for rotatably actuating the shafts, and gears on the shafts meshing with said barracks.

ALBERT L. BRESCH. 

